to succumb
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to succumb
To give in to a temptation, a feeling, or an external influence; to no longer be able to resist.
Obwohl sie auf Diät war, erlag sie der Versuchung und aß ein Stück Schokolade.
Although she was on a diet, she succumbed to the temptation and ate a piece of chocolate.
This verb always requires the dative. You succumb to 'einer Sache' (something, dative), not 'eine Sache' (something, accusative). Pay attention to the correct noun ending.
Er ist dem Charme seiner Kollegin erlegen.
He succumbed to his colleague's charm.
'Erliegen' (to succumb) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'er-' remains firmly connected to the verb stem 'liegen' in all tenses and sentence constructions.
Sie wusste, dass sie der Versuchung erliegen würde.
She knew that she would succumb to the temptation.
The context makes the meaning clear. If it is about temptations, feelings, or stimuli, 'erliegen' (to succumb) means to give in. If it is about illnesses or injuries, it means to die.
Er erlag der Versuchung, noch ein Stück Kuchen zu essen.
He succumbed to the temptation to eat another piece of cake.
The meaning 'an etwas sterben' (to die from something) is mainly used in formal contexts such as news reports, police reports, or official statements. It sounds more elevated and detached.
Der Bergsteiger ist den Strapazen der Expedition erlegen.
The mountaineer succumbed to the hardships of the expedition.
to die
'sterben' and 'erliegen' can both express that someone dies because of a serious illness or injury. 'sterben' is the normal and general word. You can simply say that someone dies, or be more specific: someone dies of an illness. 'erliegen' is more formal and is almost always used with a cause, for example 'seinen Verletzungen erliegen' (to succumb to one's injuries) or 'einer Krankheit erliegen' (to succumb to an illness). Learners may confuse the words because both appear in serious news reports. However, 'erliegen' is not suitable as a general word for death; instead, it emphasizes the serious cause and sounds more like newspaper, report, or official language.
Der Patient erlag im Krankenhaus seinen schweren Verletzungen.
The patient succumbed to his serious injuries in the hospital.
Sein Großvater starb an einer schweren Krankheit.
His grandfather died of a serious illness.